Falkirk midfielder Craig Sibbald admits he is hoping Farid El Alagui does not produce the kind of form that made him such a big Bairns favourite when Dunfermline visit tomorrow.

The striker scored 27 goals for Falkirk during the 2011/12 campaign before winning a move to English side Brentford.

El Alagui, who has netted three goals in his last two games after returning to fitness at the Pars, is unlikely to be afforded a warm return when the 31-year-old pitches up with their fierce rivals on Saturday and former team-mate Sibbald is hoping Peter Houston’s side can keep the French-Moroccan quiet.

(Pic: BBC ALBA)

Sibbald said: “Farid’s scoring goals at the wrong time for us. We’ll look at his strengths but we know how he plays – he likes the ball in the air – and we’ll work on that and cut out his strengths.

“I got on well with Farid. He was always good in the air, so you knew you could play off him.

“If you stuck the ball into the box you knew he would usually win the headers.

“He’s a good player and he’s going to be one we’ll have to watch on Saturday.

“I remember when he came in on trial at Stirling Uni with a few different guys, but you could see his class from the first couple of days he came in.

“We’ve just got to watch out with him, he can certainly get goals.

“To be fair, he was loved here, so he probably will get a good reception.”

The teams will lock horns for the first time in three years in the league and Sibbald is looking forward to renewing the rivalry.

He added: “It’s a good game to have. You know there’s going to be a good crowd and a good atmosphere, and it’s something to look forward to.

“It will be a different test for us. There’s a few ex-Falkirk players coming back, so it should be a good game.

“I’m from Falkirk so I know how much they hate each other.

“I know how much the fans love it and you just want to get the win for them.”